After Dreams of Hunting Trophy Bulls

[SansSouci]

As Sept 13 draws near, I'm beginning to become far more excited. After 20+ years of bonus points, I'll finally hunt an authentic trophy elk unit. I knew it was real when I held the tag in my hand. I know that for me, it will be a once-in-a-lifetime hunt. It takes too many bonus points to hope for another chance in the unit I'll hunt.

If this makes sense, though the excitement of the reality of my upcoming hunt lies a mist of melancholy. If I am lucky to cross paths with a trophy, dreams and anticipation will be over. Assuming I am lucky, I will reflect in the silence following congratulations and high-fives that all my years of dreams of such a hunt will give way to dreams of the hunt. I know I'll never be able to do it again.

After this year, I'll again start acquiring elk bonus points. I'm hoping that 10 will get me a bull tag in the area I hunt mule deer. While the area does hold monster bulls (I've seen a few), dreams and anticipation of such a hunt that might not occur will be muted compared to the 20+ years I've dreamed of holding a tag for a bull in an authentic trophy unit.

 

[OregonJim]

Very nicely stated.

Good luck on your dream!!!!!

 

[Umpqua Hunter]

You should have a chance at 20+ bulls any sane guy would be crazy to pass on almost any other unit.

 

[Winchester]

I too am saving up elk points (13 so far) and hope to draw a tag like yours some day. Good luck on your hunt, you should see lot's of great bulls!!

 

[petecolorado]

Might be a little naive since I am relatively new to the forum, but what unit did you draw for?

 

[jdan9]

I'm curious as well. I have my dream tag in my pocket but it's for mule deer.
jd

 

[Alabama]

I don't think he has said what unit. I may be wrong but he said it was a great unit in Utah. I would guess Southwest Desert early rifle, Fillmore Pahvant early rifle, Monroe early rifle or the holy grail: San Juan early rifle. If it's San Juan or Monroe you better hunt the whole season and take tons of pics so we can live vicariously through you!

 

[SansSouci]

San Juan early season.

I appreciate all of your wishes.

I've reflected upon the reality that I'm finally going. I was thinking about what my thoughts will be during my long drive home.

I do have 100% confidence in my guide.

 

[SansSouci]

Umpqua Hunter,

Thanks again for your very helpful recommendation. I've talked with him a few times. I have 100% confidence in him.

 

[SansSouci]

I sincerely hope that all of you guys get at least one shot at your top priorities trophy elk hunting units.

If I had it to do over, I wouldn't have put all my efforts in one state. While I think Utah has some of the biggest bulls in the west, I should of acquired points in AZ & NV as well. I know that other states have huge bulls.

The huge Wyoming bull on the cover of the most recent edition of "Eastmans'" could get me to look there as well. There are excellent photos of that monster in the article.

 

[OregonJim]

Please, please, please…… take lots of pics.
For that matter take AK aviator along to document it!!!!!!

 

[Alabama]

Please, please, please…… take lots of pics.
For that matter take AK aviator along to document it!!!!!!

Agreed OregonJim! His photos are amazing.

 

[PointsHunter]

San Juan... Man that is awesome. I have 16 UT elk points and am 'only' 39 but still don't think I will ever catch up. San Juan is a dream. Have a great hunt!

 

[SansSouci]

PointsHunter,

Thanks so much.

While there are other units in Utah that have trophy bulls, you might want to hold out until you're chances improve.

I called Utah fish & game before I applied. A very sweet lady took my info, looked up my points and drawing stats and told me that were I to apply my chances of success were extremely good. I'm sure if you called, you'd receive the identical excellent info.

BTW, I just turned 57, which means I began acquiring bonus points when I was about 35. Hindsight being better that foresight, I wish I had acquired bonus points in AZ & NV, too.

I wish you the absolute best of luck.

 

[SansSouci]

OregonJim,

If your request is of me, I plan on taking as many photos as possible. I'd love to get photos of two bulls fighting. Also, I believe my guide will video the hunt for me.

I will post photos here. The one caveat my guide has imposed is that I cannot post photos that reveal the areas he hunts. So I'll have to disable my camera's location function. And I'll have to get his OK of what photos I can post.

 

[Alabama]

OregonJim,

If your request is of me, I plan on taking as many photos as possible. I'd love to get photos of two bulls fighting. Also, I believe my guide will video the hunt for me.

I will post photos here. The one caveat my guide has imposed is that I cannot post photos that reveal the areas he hunts. So I'll have to disable my camera's location function. And I'll have to get his OK of what photos I can post.

Seems reasonable. I can't blame him for wanting to keep his spots a secret as his livelihood depends on quality hunts for his clients. Good luck and don't let the pressure get to you. Live in the moment and enjoy every moment of it.

 

[Engideer]

Good luck on your hunt! I hope it lives up to every dream that you have had! Take a lot of photos!

 

[Umpqua Hunter]

I can't wait to hear all about it! I believe I should draw SJ early in the next 5 years or so. I need to draw on a year I can give it 3 to 4 weeks.

 

[Hilltop]

What is a realistic size expectation for this hunt?

 

[SansSouci]

Hi Hilltop,

The unit does produce huge trophies. Last year a 418 bull was taken. As for realistic expectation, I don't know. I do know that there are B&C bulls in there, and from what I've read & been told, probably more than any other unit in the west.

I'd love to see a 400 bull let alone shoot one. I know that it's called hunting for a reason. But if Mother Nature does cooperate and I can get a decent opportunity, I have to be able to do my part, which is to Partition where it needs to go. The last thing I want to do is waste my tag by wounding a bull that we can't recover or shooting a bull where it would be dangerous to recover. I won't shoot until my guide tells me to shoot.